Cancer and Female Infertility

Where can I find out more about female infertility?
For more information about female infertility, including suggestions for taking action and a list of resources, visit www.livestrong.org/femalefertility .

Why is knowing about female infertility important to women affected by cancer?
Cancer and its treatment may put female survivors at risk for infertility. Infertility means not being able to get pregnant or maintain a pregnancy. There may be many different causes of infertility in cancer survivors. While it is best to discuss your risk for infertility before treatment begins, there are still options for survivors who may experience infertility as a result of cancer or treatment.

What do I need to know about female infertility?
Infertility may happen in female cancer survivors who have:
• Treatment or surgery that directly affects their reproductive organs
• Surgery that removes the uterus, tubes or ovary
• Radiation treatment directed to cancer in the abdomen

Talk with your doctor if you have symptoms such as:
• Menstrual cycles that are not regular
• Hot flashes
• Pain during sex
• Inability to get pregnant
• Several miscarriages

What steps should I take to preserve fertility before, during or after treatment?
• If you have not yet started cancer treatment, find out about fertility risks before your treatment starts.
• If you have finished treatment, talk with your health care team as soon as you decide that you want to have children.
• Talk with a fertility specialist about options that exist for your situation, such as:
-- In vitro fertilization
-- Donor embryos
-- Donor eggs
-- Ovarian autotransplantation (experimental)
-- Surrogacy
-- Adoption